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Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgement on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honour of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God. We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God. For it is written,‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.’ So then, each of us will be accountable to God. (Romans 14:1-12)
Aren't you glad you don't live in Paul's day, when people at church were ready to judge and criticize others?The Church in Rome was especially bad at that, because of the influence of other religions and the melding of some of those with so many beliefs, including Christian ones. Some Christians held that it was sinful for the believer to eat meat offered as sacrifice to idols, as the meat once it was offered up, was taken to markets and sold. Others said to worship God on any day other than Saturday the real Sabbath, they insisted, was wrong. Yet, believers said that Sunday was the Lord's Day for it was on a Sunday that He rose. Wait. What's that you say? We still judge and criticize others? Sadly, yes. But Paul gives us the truth; we live for Christ, and when we die, we die for Christ. It will be Christ Who will decide and judge our actions and beliefs. For now, it makes better sense to get along with each other, respecting differences in opinion, and seeking to continue to work at building up the kingdom of God. For indeed, as Paul quotes, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God."
Seek to live honorably and lovingly even with those with whom you disagree. Seek common ground and work to include all. Set the standard for righteous living in your own life, and let others see the good in you.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to not judge and criticize. Help me instead, live a life that builds up and blesses others. Let me live lovingly with others as we work for the good of Jesus here on the earth. In His name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Say a positive word to someone today. Bless them!
Eradio Valverde
